The Southland Times. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13,1869.

Southland Times, Issue 1129, 13 September 1869, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1869.

The union of Southland and Otago is undoubted^ the most important question dow before the people of this Province.: The necessity for a change in the system of government throughout the whole colony has for years been gaining strength and creating a public opinion in favor of reform. The two ideas which have predominated in the discussion of the question have been the amalgamation of small with large provinces, or the formation of one Central Government, with supreme legislative powers, and local self-government, witbjliberal and equitable administrative functions. We do not accept the decision of the Provincial Council to open negotiations with the Otago Government for annexation as an evidence of the people of this Province being in favor of such a measure. It is not clear to our mind that union with Otago will serve to satisfy our public wants, or even improve our financial condition. We will be greatly mistaken if, when the question comes before the country, divested of all clap-trap, the result of the elections will be in favor of re-union. If there is to be an alteration, let it be a general one, which will apply to the whole colony, and not one which, although it may suit the private interests of one or two local politician^ would nave an injurious effect upon the community at large That the whole colony must become ultimately united, with one code of legislation, and one system of local administration, must be patent to every udent 01 political history, and tha

time is not far distant The Otago Government was tbe first to make overtures for the renewal of partnership, and we may reasonably conclude that it has well considered the advantage it would gain by the union, but it is questionable if it has. fairly estimated the true position of Southland. If we are to take the utterances of Otago politicians and journalists as an index o£ Otago' s opinion of Southland's condition, it is plain we are looked upon as a." pauper province" —financially and politically bankrupt — in a state of hope deferred desperation, and .ready to grasp at a straw in order to keep afloat. In connection with this subject, one

of the moat important questions to be considered, is the Land Eegulations. Southland's legislation on this subject will bear . favorable comparison with tb,at of Otago. ! During the eight " years which have i elapsed since Southland and Otago dissolved partnership, this has been the question of moment in both provinces, i Both started with one code, and both have had occasion to alter and amend it. What is the result ? Southland has so far perfected its land system that free selection over the whole province is secured — the pastoral tenant knows tbe exact position he occupies, and the facilities for bona fide settlement are equally as great, if not greater than in any other province in New ZealandOtago on the other hand has session after session tinkered and bungled its land laws until they have become a mass of rinworkableincongruities. The Pastoralists

and Agriculturalists have been forced into a position of bitter antagonism, and party strife of the most rancorous kind has been created. Is Southland prepared to yieldup i its land laws and accept those of Otago ? At the present moment the greatest excitement prevails in the neighboring Province on the Hundreds question — a measure introduced into the House of Assembly, without the knowledge or consent of the Provincial Council of Otago, and supported by Mr Macandbew. Any one who takes the trouble to read the Otago papers will see how keenly the agricultural class resent the attempt made to throw fresh impediments in the way of the settlement of the country.

The provincial system it must be conceded was an experimental attempt to adapt legislation to the peculiar and exceptional circumstance of New Zealand colonisation. At the time it was adopted the seat of Government was at the extreme end of the North Island, and nothing in the way of change in the crude .maf»Jyspoj»v /vf ctnvavnmmni: in i-Ua^ Flnytln could be made without endless agitation, correspondence, and petitioning the General Government, causing months of vexatious delay, before permission was granted to incur even the slightest expense in augmenting the governmental staff, was although the rapid progress of the Southern settlements rendered continued changes necessary. It was adapted at the time for the work it was created to accomplish. Things have mightily changed since then, and although the system of a number of petty states has now proved vicious and costly, it is needless and would be unjust to throw stones at old times. If we examine the great changes which has supervened, we find it in the increase of population, and the development of the varied resources of the colony, creating diverse interests of a magnitude too great to be dealt with in the old style of vestry legislation The time has come when some change must be made — when a greater uniformity in the laws must be obtained. The

increased facilities for communication between the various parts of the colony, the rapid extension of the telegraph, and other progressive operations have been steadily paving the way for unity in feeling and legislation — in short the creation of a New Zealand nationality. But by annexation we encourage the. perpetuation of the provincial system in its worst forma, because in creating large provinces we encourage official extravagance, log-rolling, and many of those evils that the legislation of the past three years has sought to obviate. The General G-overnment is bound to afford us assistance. Our gaols and police must be efficiently maintained, and the Government must be carried on. The attention of the people should now be directed to the election of a gentleman as Superintendent who will represent the condition of the Province to the General Government, and whose position and influence will be a guarantee that the affairs of the

Province will be conducted efficiently and economically. In a few more months the Winton Eailway will be finished, when a valuable asset will be at the disposal of the Province, for either sale or lease. It behoves the people to see that a new class of men be sent to the Council, who •will have the welfare of the at ' heart. With a few exceptions, none of the old members rf Council should be returned. They have proved themselves thoroughly in competent.-

In another column will be observed tho announcement of the .Rifle Volunteer Ball, to take place next Wednesday week, at the Exchange Hall. As this will be the first re-union the corps has had it is more than likely it will be a most successful^one. We understand that tbe officers and several members of the Biverton Company have signified their intention to be present, accompanied by their lady friends. The price for admission, including refreshments daring the night, is extremely moderate. A meeting of the Committee of the Horticultural Society is called by advertisement, for this evening, at 8 o'clock, afc the Princess Hotel, the business being to draft the schedule of prizes for tbe next ahow. From our Northern Telegraphic intelligence it will be seen that the Provincial Council haß been dissolved by the Governor, a General Government

G-azefcte issued in the 7feh inst., containing » ' proclamation to that effect. ! We are requested ijto draw attention to the i fact that, in consequence of the catalogue not i having been got through on Saturday, Mr. H. E. Osborne will resume the sale of books at Mr Rodger's Dee street, to-day at noon. We are requested to state that in consequence of the Lord Ashely requiring to go into dock, she will not come oa to the Bluff this trip. The Popular Entertainments Committee made Friday evening a juvenile night, to wind up the weekly series, giving the children a treat in the exhibition of a Magic Lantern. It is gratifying to state that they hare succeeded, spite of the dullness prevailing, and many nights a bare overplus, not only in paying off the debt of the old Society, but have, moreover, laid in cost of about £15, for future production, and varied selection of vocal and instrumental music, and Carpenter and Fenn's complete sa of " Penny Headings." It is imperative this music should receive some time for rehearsal, to enable the amateurs to render it with satisfaction to

t hemselves and their audience. Independently of this, after devoting (two practices included) three evenings a week to the gratification of the public they are deserving of some rest from their labors. Hence the resolution to close the weekly series, and endeavour, during the summer months to provide a monthly performance, every fourth Friday. One and all, committee, readers, instru^ mentah'sts, vocalists, those engaged in the regu, lating of the admission, &c, deserve credit for thej manner in which they have harmoniously worked together in the common cause to maintain these pleasant meetings. A change in the programme of Friday as issued in slips was noticeable from that appearing in our columns, it having been found necessary in consequence of the lighting of the house to transpose first and second parts. It was evident in the vocal department that nearly all were suffering from prevaling colds and yet the voices harmonized well and under such existing circumstances the pieces were well selected. The readings were humorous, one in character of course receiving an ovation at the hands of the juvenile portion of the audience. It was gratifying to hear t^eir delight at the mysteries of the Magic Lantern, which being exhibited without a hitch closed a most enjoyable evening more especially for those whom it was intended to gratify. It ib to be u«~«/j tki> Tvwv^««f;rv« ~f ~ — •«,,=;« — j *i-~ i — o intervals between the performances will give the Committee an opportnnity of having some surplus funds, instead of a mere payment of current expenses over and above the) debt they undertook. According to a Dunedin paper, of late date, lambing hai commenced in the West Taieri district, where j the lambs have, owing to the late fine weather, thriven well. In the Tuapeka district, on the other hand, few of the earlier dropped lambs have survired. In the latter district, also, a Lawrence paper reports that the price of sheep is steadily rising, and that a rise in the price of mutton may consequently be expected.